Healthy Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps

This recipe for Healthy Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps is a fresh, flavorful, and incredibly easy meal that’s better than any restaurant version. It features a savory, umami-rich filling of lean ground beef, crisp water chestnuts, and shredded carrots, all simmered in a delicious Asian-inspired sauce. Served in crisp, cool lettuce cups, it’s a light, satisfying, and naturally low-carb dinner that’s ready in under 30 minutes.

Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a light lunch, these lettuce wraps are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. They are fun to eat, packed with flavor and texture, and so simple to assemble. It’s a wholesome meal that will satisfy your takeout cravings in a much healthier way.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick & Easy: A complete, delicious meal that’s ready from start to finish in under 30 minutes.
• Healthy & Low-Carb: Packed with protein and fresh veggies, making it a perfect guilt-free meal.
• Packed with Flavor: The savory, slightly sweet, and tangy sauce is completely addictive.
• Fun to Eat: A great hands-on meal that’s perfect for the whole family.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs Lean Ground Beef (90/10 or leaner)
• 1 Yellow Onion, chopped
• 4 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon Fresh Ginger, grated
• 1 (8 oz) can Water Chestnuts, drained and chopped
• 1 cup Carrots, shredded
• 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
• 1 head Butter Lettuce or Iceberg Lettuce, leaves separated
• For the Sauce:
  • 1/4 cup Low-Sodium Soy Sauce or Coconut Aminos
  • 2 tablespoons Hoisin Sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Rice Vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon Toasted Sesame Oil
• For Garnish: Sliced green onions, toasted sesame seeds

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep the Lettuce: Carefully separate the lettuce leaves, wash them, and pat them dry. Set aside.
2. Cook the Beef: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and chopped onion. Cook, breaking up the beef with a spoon, until it’s browned and the onion is soft. Drain any excess grease.
3. Sauté Aromatics: Add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the skillet and cook for one more minute until fragrant.
4. Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil.
5. Combine: Pour the sauce into the skillet with the beef. Add the chopped water chestnuts and shredded carrots. Stir everything together and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.
6. Serve: To serve, spoon the warm beef filling into the crisp lettuce cups. Garnish with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds.

Tips & Variations

• Pro Tip: For the crispiest lettuce cups, use iceberg lettuce. For softer, more pliable cups, butter lettuce is a great choice.
• Different Protein: This recipe is fantastic with ground chicken, ground turkey, or even crumbled firm tofu for a vegetarian option.
• Make it Spicy: Whisk 1-2 teaspoons of Sriracha or chili garlic sauce into the sauce for a spicy kick.
• Add Nuts: For extra crunch, top the filled lettuce wraps with some chopped roasted peanuts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• How do I store and reheat leftovers?
  • Store the beef filling separately from the lettuce cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat the filling in a skillet or microwave before serving.
• Can I make the filling ahead of time?
  • Yes, the beef filling is perfect for meal prep. You can make it up to 3 days in advance.
• Is this recipe gluten-free?
  • Yes, simply use a gluten-free soy sauce substitute like tamari or coconut aminos, and ensure your hoisin sauce is certified gluten-free.

Serving Suggestions

• These lettuce wraps are a perfect light and healthy meal on their own. For a heartier meal, you can serve the beef filling over a bed of jasmine rice and have the lettuce cups on the side.

Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps

When the family comes looking for a handout, give ’em a handful… of Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps. Easy to make and even easier to gobble down. Simply sauté your ground beef and veggies until tender, then simmer in the tangy ginger garlic sauce for flavorful Asian Lettuce Wraps.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Asian, Fusion

Servings 4 servings

Calories 378 kcal

Equipment

• 10-inch skillet
• Wooden spoon
• Measuring cup

Ingredients

  

• 1/4 cup maple syrup, brown sugar, or coconut sugar
• 1/4 cup coconut aminos, tamari, or soy sauce
• 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
• 1/4–1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
• 2 teaspoons arrowroot powder or cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, grated
• 1 medium red bell pepper, finely diced
• 1/2 cup shredded carrots
• 4 whole green onions, sliced into 1-inch pieces
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Ground black pepper, to taste
• Sesame seeds, for garnish
• Boston Bibb lettuce
• Steamed white rice or sautéed cauliflower rice, optional for serving

Instructions

 

• In a measuring cup, whisk together maple syrup, coconut aminos, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Add arrowroot powder and whisk until smooth.
• Heat olive oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add ground beef and cook, breaking up with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in garlic and ginger, cooking until fragrant, 1–2 minutes.
• Stir in bell pepper and carrots, cooking until bite-tender, 3–4 minutes.
• Pour sauce into skillet, stir, and simmer until slightly thickened, 2–3 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Stir in green onions.
• Spoon filling into lettuce leaves. Serve with or without rice. Garnish with sesame seeds. Makes 8 wraps without rice, or 12 wraps with rice.

Keyword Asian lettuce wraps, ground beef lettuce wraps, lettuce wraps